The book “Fire and Faith. Lithuanian History and Mythology on the Opera Stage”

A new monograph “Fire and Faith. Lithuanian History and Mythology on the Opera Stage”, dedicated to the reflections of Lithuanian history and mythology in opera. The book provides a comprehensive and intriguing account of how Lithuanian historical events, legends and mythological motifs have been interpreted on the opera stage in different parts of the world at different times. The authors of the monograph – Helmutas Šabasevičius, Rūta Stanevičiūtė, Jūratė Katinaitė and Daiva Šabasevičienė – have identified as many as 67 operas in which Lithuanian themes are revealed. These works were created from the beginning of the 18th century to the present day in Italy, Poland, Russia, Germany, France, USA, Australia and other countries. The publication covers a wide historical period, from Alessandro Scarlatti’s opera-oratorio San Casimiro, rè di Polonia to Constantine Koukias’s opera Oleg, produced in Tasmania. By analysing these works, the authors reveal how Lithuanian history, mythology and their symbolic meanings have been interpreted in different periods and cultural contexts on the opera stage. The monograph contributes to the broader study of Lithuania’s cultural heritage and its representation in the international musical context, opening new perspectives for the study of opera history, cultural memory and mythological narratives.